'Jasprit Bumrah gave India the perfect start': Pujara praises pacer's Perth captaincy

India batter Cheteshwar Pujara heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah for his sensational 4/17 spell, which turned the tide for India on Day 1 of the Perth Test. Bumrah's captaincy and bowling brilliance inspired a remarkable fightback after a batting collapse.

In Short

• Bumrah's 4/17 spell led India comeback in Perth Test after batting collapse
• He dismissed Steve Smith for a golden duck in Perth
• He picked the wicket of Australia captain Pat Cummins

India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, on commentary duty during Day 1 of the Perth Test between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his exceptional bowling. As India’s stand-in captain in Rohit Sharma's absence from the Perth Test, Bumrah led a stunning comeback after their batting collapse.

Opting to bat first, Bumrah’s decision seemed risky as India’s top order crumbled under the spicy Perth pitch and Australia’s disciplined bowling. Key batters Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and an unlucky KL Rahul failed to anchor the innings, leaving India in trouble. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy’s composed 41 and Rishabh Pant’s gritty 37 helped India reach a modest 150, despite Josh Hazlewood’s devastating 4/29 spell. However, Bumrah turned the tide with a brilliant bowling display. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Pujara praised Bumrah for remaining unfazed under the pressure of captaincy, executing his plans with composure and precision.

AUS vs IND Perth Test, Day 1: Highlights

"I think he was brilliant. This was the perfect start we wanted and the way he bowled, the channel in which in he bowled, his lengths and the kind of swing he got with the Kookabara ball, because not many bowlers are able to swing that ball. He was able to swing the ball and landed in the right areas, which allowed the ball to deviate a bit more. So I think it was a brilliant ball bowling by Bumrah," Pujara said.

"There are times when one thinks that him being a captain might put put him under a bit of pressure, but it was other way around. He was the one who led the bulling attack and he bowled the way he's expected to bowl," Pujara added.

Bumrah’s 4/17 spell was a masterclass in precision and pace. He struck early, removing both Australian openers, Nathan McSweeny and Usman Khawaja, within six overs. His relentless aggression and strategic use of the pitch disrupted Australia’s plans. The turning point came when Bumrah dismissed Steve Smith for a golden duck, dismantling one of Australia’s most dependable batters.

Bumrah’s brilliance inspired his fellow bowlers, with Mohammed Siraj (2/17) and debutant Harshit Rana (1/33) chipping in crucial breakthroughs to leave Australia reeling at 67/7 by stumps. Bumrah’s leadership was exemplified in his intense duel with Australian skipper Pat Cummins, where he emerged victorious in a symbolic Captain vs. Captain contest.

With momentum on their side, India will enter Day 2 with a renewed focus on maintaining their grip on the match. Bumrah’s heroics have not only reignited India’s hopes but also set the tone for an enthralling Test battle against a formidable Australian side.